Rachael Smith
Director of Special Music Programs
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Bio
Rachael Smith is an arts administrator with extensive experience as a collaborator across disciplines.She has spent ample time working backstage in the performing arts. As the inaugural Music Director’s Associate at San Francisco Opera, she led the creation of administrative procedures to realize the Music Director’s vision across all company departments. In her work in the Artistic Planning departments at both San Francisco Opera and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, she worked closely with main stage artists, orchestras, and management to advance the artistic process for world-class productions. At Vail Jazz, she managed front-of-house staff for a renowned summer festival.
She served as a leader in higher education at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. As the Director of the Professional Development and Engagement Center, she led a team of professional and student staff to enhance student career development through grant programs, internships, and on-campus programming. As the Director of Community Engagement, she ran community performance programs that produced over 500 performances each year, and collaborated with San Francisco Public Schools to reach over 2,400 students annually through student teacher placements. As a faculty member and Academic Advisor, she worked closely with students to support their academic and professional success.
Rachael holds a BA in Music Composition from Dickinson College. Her capstone work was an award-funded, fully produced collaboration with a choreographer that explored identity through dance, electronic music, and chamber ensemble. She is an avid choral singer and feels most at home in the alto section.